intermittent blips

[pokyone42]

Hiya folks!
I got my first metal detector about a month ago. (Garrett Ace 250.) I have only used it on our land so far, and have found one dime, 6 pennies, and about 6 pounds of junk. lol... (so I know that it works well.)

Here is my question... now and then, as I am swinging, I will hear it beep that it found a target. I will swing back and forth in all directions over the whole general area where it beeped, and I don't hear it again. (so I do not bother to dig.) Other times, it will beep, (alot) and I pinpoint, only to dig and completely lose the signal. Just wondering why this happens? Thanks in advance!

[John's Detectors]

Hi Poky, the blips could be ground noise from mineralization or iron in your soil. I don't know where you live but some parts of the country have lots of these minerals in the ground. When you find nothing after you dig a bit it might be a minute piece of trash or once you disturb the ground matrix the signal will not comeback. Ok I wish you happy hunting Poky and the 250 is a good machine. God Bless.

John Tomlinson,CET P=VI
John's Detectors
Blackwell,Tx.
Best Little Detector Shop in Texas!

[bigbillinsc]

should be banned from the entire universe..... i hate it when the paper has decayed off the gum foil wrappers. the foild disintegrates in a hundred pieces but they stay within a 3 inch circle.... i have taken needle nose pliers to pick out evey piece. but hay its all part of the game for me.

[janiece]

I'm glad to have seen this question posted and answered because it's a problem I've had as well.

Wandering off topic a little bit, I got a signal last Saturday that read as a nickel but the signal was about 8 inches by 12 inches. It was a piece of the florist's plastic coated foil that they use to wrap around plants. It was about an inch under and I was able to pull it out intact but it sure had me baffled for a bit.

[dooby]

Originally Posted by boobieinPa

I agree with John.
You can also carry a small magnet with you. It will help you to find those minute pieces of metal that drive all of us crazy.

That is one to remember, thanks boobie !!!

The Ace250 will pick up some TINY bits of metal, just ask me........

[pokyone42]

Thanks!!!!!!!

[journeyoftheanimals]

Yes I have the 150 and it goes crazy in my front yard so I have givin up on that but plan on doing the backyard. It is amazing what it sometimes picks up on. I have found some very small trash. Find more of the real small trash when it is within an inch or 2 from the top of the soil. Many people say you should dig all good signals. Never know what you find and it will make you feel good to just get rid of the trash. One thing I have heard that you should keep as a rule for your self is to leave any area you have hunted in better condition then when you started. Today while I was out at a playground I think I spent more time picking up glass then MDing. Anyways, keep at it and good luck.

[Apophis]

You might want to run your shoes under your search coil i used to have the same problem till i ran the shoes i was wearing under the coil and found that there was metal on the inside of them

[journeyoftheanimals]

Originally Posted by Apophis

You might want to run your shoes under your search coil i used to have the same problem till i ran the shoes i was wearing under the coil and found that there was metal on the inside of them

Reminds me of myself when I first started and would find something I thought the MD was picking up on. Well I would then hold the item in my left hand and run the detector over the item I was holding. Then I remembered I have a ring on my left hand.

[PAPPY]

Turn your sensetivity down to about 4 bars and try that for awhile